River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-03-10

corporal John Thought OF similar
experience in his own case, when he
was fighting in different cause.
"So, don't" he blurted out; s.but
/ don't know whether you are telling
the truth or lie. l must obey or
ders."
Good Heavensr cried the corporal
Then, when he glanced at the upturned
face and saw the pouting, crimson lips,
and the faintly-hushed. dark face, he
wondered that he had not suspected the
truth before
"Senorita," stammered the rough
soldier, Il am sorry that you are in this
trouble. You may rest assured, how
ever, that | am not going to kill you. y
IL knew itr' and the girl smiled tri-
umpantly.
"But you ought to be sent to head
Quarters.
"And would my life be safe there?''
mo. l don't believe it would" was
the corporars thoughtful reply.
Then set me free!"
"Hev2"
''Set me freer'
"Hang me if / don'tr' said the cor
poral, why, of course / viii"
He cut the prisoners bonds and
gave her an inquiring look.
1T is all right" responded the
senorita.
1.-The stream is not deep at this
point. am going to ford it, and on
the other side of yonder hill my brother
and his companions await me. When
you return to your comrades tell them
that you didyour duty. God bless you,
senior. and farewell
Before he could speak the senorita
was half way across the river. As she
disappeared in the forest on the other
side she waved her hand, and the cor
poral heartily responded
"Ughi Don't ask me" was Corporal
Johns reply TO the questions of his
comrades. 81 did my duty. That is
enough"
There were other things demanding
their attention, and the fate of the
Mexican lad was not very searchingly
inquired into.
II am great fool to fight duel, :"
said John Conway as he finished his
toilet and viewed his face in the glass.
''but when a fellow is in Paris he must
do as the Parisians do. "
Conway gave an extra twist to his
mustache, and continued talking to
himself:
lit is strange. i fought through our
war and was mixed up in the Maximil-
ian business. l have done my share of
shooting and being shot at, but never
yet stood up in cold blood to exchange
shots with man. don't like it..
So many wears had elapsed since Con-
ways military experience that the
prospect of fight no longer stirred his
blood. He was not an old man, but
the fiery ardor of youth was "A thing of
the past. After years of adventurous
speculation in the mining regions of
the West fortune had favored him, and
for the first time in his life he was real
izing one of the dreams of his youth, a
visit to Paris.
Unfortunately, he had been drawn
into political controversy in cafe
with a member of the Mexican Lega-
ton, Senior Gomez. a gentleman whose
great wealth and beautiful wife were
al that time the talk of Paris. In the
heat of the discussion Conway had
given mortal offense to the Mexican.
| The result was a challenge, and the
American had accepted. selectingpistols
and fixing the hour for > O'Clock that
afternoon, the place chosen being a
! suburban forest notorious for its affairs
of honor.
While the American was wondering
whether he had sufficient appetite for
breakfast, there was a tap at his door.
Opening it he saw to his surprise Sener
| Gomez, who advanced into the room
with a grave countenance in which
various emotions were struggling for
/ expression.
John Conway Involuntary fell back
In amazement at beholding this unex-
pected visitor.
'Senor Conway" said Gomez, ''this
visit under the circumstances is I'M
heard of. 1t is irregular, but you
Americans are always prepared for the
| unexpected. | am here, senior, to
apologize for my conduct, and to with
draw my challenge. 1 deeply regret
my offensive language. and hasten to
retract it. 1t is my purpose to inform
the gentlemen, who know something
of the affair between us, that we have
no quarrel, and that | regard you as
one of the bravest and noblest of men"
Conway looked into the Mexican's
eyes, and saw sincerity there.
..Senor Gomez" he said, II am at a
loss to understand all this"
'.Listenm exclaimed the other inn
patiently. Last night at the opera
my wife saw a face that recalled the
greatest peril of her life She studied
it through her glass and became con-
WINGED that she was right. When she
met me at our hotel, after my return
from the cafe where we had our uu-
fortunate difference, she told me all,
and begged me to search out her pre-
server. So. Corporal John, / thank
you in the name of my wife"
Then seeing that the American was
more mystified than ever, Gomez con
\ tinued:
Have you forgotten your capture of
| a young Mexican in Sonora when YOU
were With DttLdllltF lllSitdu Vi ODtl-
ing orders and executing the prisoner.
her sex and her wrongs excited your
sympathy and you released her."
lit all comes back to me" said Con-
way, excitedly. Eyes; it is impossible
for me to forget it. And the senorita
made good her escape and is now your
wife? You are to be congratulated,
senior, upon securing such a heroine"
The two were now unconsciously
clasping hands.
You see that we cannot fight, :"
laughed Gomez, with a tear in his
eye.
Ridiculous" said Conway.
Very well, remarked the other.
take it for granted may tell the sen
ora that you will spend the evening
with us. You cannot refuse"
Corporal John did not refuse, but
when the brilliant Mexican beauty over
whelmed him that evening with her
thanks he grewvery thoughtful. When
his visit was over and he was on his
way homeward the American several
times broke out with:
| ..Confound it all, when she was IN
prisoner. why didn't | keep her?n
And vet Corporal John was not al
together unhappy.
4